I'll start out by saying I (like many people) believe the Badgers are ranked higher then they should. I would rank them # 3 in the Big 10 (behind Ohio State and Penn State) and somewhere between #20-25. I think they will end up somewhere around #16-20. Their only losses will be Ohio State and Penn State.

I don't know.  Ohio State has just looked bad their past two games.  Granted that was without Wells.  And Penn State has looked awesome, but their playing one of the worst non-conference schedules out there. 

I think UW splits the Ohio State and Penn State games, and ends up winning the conference.  Their passing game obviously has a long ways to go before I'll feel really good about this team.

The reason why osu has looked so bad isn't because of the absence of wells, it's because of their QB play. how can anyone get a gauge on PSU at this point?  They certainly look good but outside of 3 games against 'akron' calibur competition, it's tough to say.  PSU travels to OSU and has a tougher BT schedule if you ask me. 

 MSU right now is the dark horse if you ask me.  Ringer looks heisman worthy if not this year, next year.

runningwithscissors:

The reason why osu has looked so bad isn't because of the absence of wells, it's because of their QB play. how can anyone get a gauge on PSU at this point?  They certainly look good but outside of 3 games against 'akron' calibur competition, it's tough to say.  PSU travels to OSU and has a tougher BT schedule if you ask me. 

 MSU right now is the dark horse if you ask me.  Ringer looks heisman worthy if not this year, next year.

 Gonna have to disagree with you on the osu ananlysis,  There O-line has been their biggest weakness as they've been handled against D-1 opponents.  Ohio and USC were in the backfield all day.  I think we beat the bucks in madison.  I agree that Penn State has looked the best this year, but man, we complain about how weak our schedule is.  First tough road game for the nits with Mich and OSU on deck, we should get that one also.  The game that worries me the most right now is Oct 18th at Iowa.  Natural let down spot coming off of UM, OSU and PSU.  If bucky can get by that game, it should be smooth sailing.

I don't get all the love for PSU. Yeah, they have won all of their games, but they haven't beaten anyone yet. Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Syracuse, and whacking Temple at the moment isn't saying a whole lot.

As for Ohio State, I think they were just overrated from the start. That defense isn't as good as everyone thought. You should hear the guys on sports radio here in Ohio just RIP them everyday, it's comical to listen to since I hate them so much. Everyone around here is in a panic mode, which is also funny.

I think UW is the best in the Big10 because we have killed 2 bad teams, but we beat a very tough FSU team in one of the most hostile environments in NCAAF. Had it not been for those WAC refs trying to screw us (the fumble that wasn't, which the WAC later apologized for), we would have won by 10 or so.

Wisconsin, no question. Ohio State started out 2-0 but could have been 1-2 but hung on to win over Ohio. They were then embarrassed by USC (not their fault, USC is THAT good) but then came back with a good, but non-impressive victory. 

Three weeks ago I would have put Penn State ahead of Wisconsin but not anymore. The above post was correct about Fresno State and that was a much bigger win than people give credit for. As the QB situation continues to solidfy the team's confidance will grow. Should be able to beat an unusually weak Michigan team setting up the big showdown with Ohio State.

Preseason looking at the Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State trio, it didn't look too promising, but at this point the Badgers look to have a legit shot at the BCS.

You guys really think the Fresno win looks good?  I'm not sold on Fresno.  Sure, Fresno has 2 road wins so far but Rutgers quite frankly isn't a very good team.  Toledo put 54 on the board against Fresno in 2OT this past week, 41 in regulation.  Should anyone who has a winless MAC team score 41 on them be considered a good team?  The Fresno win looks worse as the days pass. 

Ohio State is the team to beat until they get beaten, IMO.  If you want to be the man, you've got to beat the man. 

Whoever called MSU the darkhorse, good choice.  I thought it could be Iowa, but I was unimpressed with them after watching them play Iowa St and Pitt.  Going to East Lansing will be a big test for UW.

PSU and OSU both beat UW last season so you have to put UW #3 in my opinion until UW beats those teams.

East Lansing was a nightmare last time UW visited them (2005?) and crushed UW's BCS hopes. 

The win against FSU might not look as complete as some people might want/think but the win against Marshall is looking pretty good as they stand 3-1 right now and if they beat WV this weekend, that would look good for Bucky.

 Lucky for the badgers they get Michigan who are still figuring things out next and tOSU still figuring things out in 2 weeks.  This team is gonna be a blaze of glory and top 5 ranking until they can't stop Illinois again and then drop another @MSU.  Finish tied 2nd in B10 behind 1 loss tOSU and 2 loss MSU, PSU, and WI at 2nd.  Illinois is 5th after losing to PSU, tOSU, and a shocking early loss @Michigan.

I don't see the badgers at this point losing to ILL.  ILL is not the same team it was last year and only put up 87yds on the ground against missouri both MIssouri and Louisiana Lafayette.  With Juice throwing 7 TD's and 5 Int's, the badger D should come up with a turnover or two I am betting. 

Jim Ganzer:

Wisconsin, no question. Ohio State started out 2-0 but could have been 1-2 but hung on to win over Ohio. They were then embarrassed by USC (not their fault, USC is THAT good) but then came back with a good, but non-impressive victory. 

Three weeks ago I would have put Penn State ahead of Wisconsin but not anymore. The above post was correct about Fresno State and that was a much bigger win than people give credit for. As the QB situation continues to solidfy the team's confidance will grow. Should be able to beat an unusually weak Michigan team setting up the big showdown with Ohio State.

Preseason looking at the Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State trio, it didn't look too promising, but at this point the Badgers look to have a legit shot at the BCS.

homerism- WOW was this wrong-USC got beat by a non-factor. UM-who sucks just beat UW who looked awful. freson State did not look good against a below avg. UCLA team. Badgers are OVER-rated -well at least were

I'd rate them 8th in the country (snicker snicker)